ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Connor Cook was one of Jon Gruden's all-time favorite pupils from his QB Camp show on ESPN two years ago. So you'd think Gruden would be thrilled to have the former Michigan State "gunslinger" on his Oakland Raiders roster as Derek Carr's backup.

Except ...

Cook has only appeared in two games since the Raiders made him a fourth-round draft choice in 2016 and he only dressed once last season after failing to beat out EJ Manuel in training camp.

"Well, I'm kind of surprised that Connor hasn't played in two years, other than [starting] the playoff game," Gruden said Wednesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. "He got in late in the year as a rookie, after [Matt] McGloin got hurt, and it was out of necessity, but after Derek got hurt last year, they turned the ball to EJ.

"I don't know where Connor Cook is. I'm frustrated right now I can't spend any time with him. But April 9 (the first day of the Raiders offseason training program) will be an exciting day for me and Connor Cook, let me tell you."

After Carr went down with a broken right leg in Week 16 of the 2016 season, Cook played in relief of McGloin in the season finale loss at Denver. Cook completed 14 of 21 passes for 150 yards with a touchdown and an interception and was sacked twice by the Broncos.

A week later, in the Raiders' first playoff game in 14 years, Cook was 18-of-45 for 161 yards with a TD, three INTs and was sacked three times by the Houston Texans.

Last year, he only dressed as Manuel's backup against the Baltimore Ravens with Carr inactive a week after suffering broken bones in his back.

"I like EJ Manuel, honestly," Gruden said. "I had him (on QB Camp) as well. I think EJ's a young, talented guy. He's been in the facility down there on his own, working out every day. There's a bright, I think, upside to him, too, as a young quarterback to keep working with."

Manuel is scheduled to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 14.

"The Philadelphia Eagles proved that's a pretty damn important position, isn't it?" Gruden said, referencing Nick Foles taking over from Carson Wentz and helping lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

"So we've got to address that and see where we are."